Favorite Photographer:

10 years ago, my Dad brought home an issue of Communication Arts Magazine that helped me fall in love. Not with a woman, but rather with an Artist. Rodney Smith, as a photographer he does consistently what others seem to fail to pull off with any real degree of skill. Blending landscape photography with portraiture, in beautiful compositions that edify my mind. Raising me from the debasing art of the world to something that seems to be a little more divine within my soul. In thinking of his mastery of the art of light, I am reminded of the following story:

Tea Master

A master of the tea ceremony in old Japan once accidentally slighted a soldier. He quickly apologized, but the rather impetuous soldier demanded that the matter be settled in a sword duel. The tea master, who had no experience with swords, asked the advice of a fellow Zen master who did possess such skill.

As he was served by his friend, the Zen master could not help but notice how the tea master performed his art with perfect concentration and tranquility. “Tomorrow,” the Zen master said, “when you duel the soldier, hold your weapon above your head, as if ready to strike, and face him with the same concentration and tranquility with which you perform the tea ceremony.”

The next day, at the appointed time and place for the duel, the tea master followed this advice. The soldier, readying himself to strike, stared for a long time into the fully attentive but calm face of the tea master. Finally, the soldier lowered his sword, apologized for his arrogance, and left without a blow being struck.